Some Jeff Davis Library history

Librarian’s Lines

Dr. Linda LeBert-Corbello

January 2009

Recently, I was asked for a history of the library system. I managed to find information about the library’s development in records, news clippings, and a brochure published about Lake Arthur. I even spent some time trying to organize the information into a story of sorts. I am challenging any patron that has additional information to please share it with me. I would eventually like to have a more comprehensive history. The stories of the ladies in Lake Arthur are incredible. Their perseverance in organizing a library before Lake Arthur was actually a town is commendable. I welcome any stories! I can be contacted at 337-824-1210. Enjoy what I have discovered thus far. I am looking forward to hearing from you.

History of Jefferson Davis Parish Library

On October 20, 1968, a formal opening ceremony for the Jefferson Davis Parish Demonstration Library was held in Jennings, Lake Arthur and Welsh. The headquarters in Jennings was located in a store front building at 526 North Main Street. Alice Porter served as the first Parish Librarian. The first Library Board of Control consisted of the following persons:

Harvey Adams

Ruth Christian

Frank Bryan

Mrs. A.R. McBurney

Maple Hughes

The demonstration library was successful and the parish assumed total responsibility for the Jefferson Davis Parish Library during the next year. On March 23, 1977 the old post office building was purchased for the amount of $60,000 to be used as the parish library headquarters by the Jefferson Davis Parish Police Jury.

History of Post Office Building: In the fall of 1914, construction was begun at the corner of Plaquemine and Cary Streets on a post office building for the town of Jennings. The building costs were approximately $45,000 and the building was completed in 1915. The building served in the capacity as a post office until early 1976 when a new post office was erected.

Jefferson Davis Parish Police Jury purchased the post office and began renovations on March 1, 1979 in order to convert the building for use as a library. Renovations costing $100,000 were completed September 6, 1980 making it possible for the new Jefferson Davis Parish Library Headquarters to open its doors to the public on September 10, 1980.

On May 20, 1982, the building was selected to be placed on the National Historic Register of Historic Places.

The Jefferson Davis Parish Library is a two-story structure that

has 6700 square feet of floor space. In addition, there is a basement that has been updated to house the Children’s Coordinator’s office, a toddler, children’s and teens’ meeting area, and shelving for supplies to support youth programs. The first floor houses the collection of over 37,000 books and materials, a reading room, a meeting room and a specific area designated for children. The second floor houses administrative offices and book and material processing rooms. There are nineteen parking spaces (one of which in Handicapped) in the parking lot located behind the library for staff and patrons. There is also public parking available on both Plaquemine and Cary streets.

History of Library Branches:

Lake Arthur Library: Lake Arthur citizens organized the second public library in the state in June of 1902. Seven women, headed by Mrs. John Braden, “formed a club with the purpose of maintaining a public library for the people of the community. The name of this club was the THE WOMEN’S LIBRARY ASSOCIATION. The seven charter members were Mrs. John Braden, Mrs. Rose Wallace, Mrs. Guy Fullerton, Mrs. Mary Kamp, Mrs. Lee Fox, Mrs. S.W. Paxson and Mrs. George Courtland.

The Lake Arthur Library was first housed in the home of Mrs. Courtland, then moved to the home of Mrs. Lee Fox. From there it was moved to the home of Mrs. V.A. Miller. After twelve years, the library was offered space in a bank building free of rent. After some time, the library was moved to the St. Germain Building. “ *

* The History of Lake Arthur written by Calvin Dale Smith and Allen Fitzgerald.

The city offered a city hall building for library use for the years 1942-2006. The new library located at 600 Fourth Street in Lake Arthur hosted opening ceremonies in September 2006. The new library has 2850 square feet of floor space. The facility is a state-of-the art building housing a collection of 13,163 books and materials,12 computers for public use, a genealogy & reference room, a staff workroom and restroom facilities for both staff and public use. It is interesting to note that The Woman’s Library Club is still an active service organization over one hundred years later.

Welsh Library: In 1929 group of interested Welsh citizens requested that a tax be passed to support a library. After the passage of the tax, a library was opened on February 25, 1930 in a room located in Welsh City Hall with 500 hundred volumes loaned by the Library Commission. The library remained in the City Hall location until June 1959 when it was moved to the old Home Economics Building north of the old Welsh High School. In 1968, the library was made a branch of the Jefferson Davis Parish Library system. Mrs. A.R. McBurney, a charter member of the Library Board, donated monies to the construction of a new library building in memory of her late husband and son. Federal monies were also secured for the project. The new library was opened in 1973, having cost approximately $80,000. *

*Information gleaned from various news articles published in the Rice Belt Journal and The Welsh Citizen.

The facility is comprised of a collection room housing a collection of 15,810 books, a reading area, a children’s area, a check-out/office area, 6 computers for public use, and a meeting room that includes: a work area, a rest room, a kitchenette and a storage room.

Elton Library: In 1970 library services were begun in a building located at 722 Main Street. The library was moved twice in the years 1973 and 1983. The only time library services were partially discontinued in Elton was during 2005-2006 following damages from Hurricane Rita. Elton library employees continued working at the Jennings Headquarters branch since their new library was under construction. In September 2006, the library celebrated opening ceremonies in a newly built facility located at 813 Main Street in Elton. The facility is a state-of-the art building with floor space of 2500 square feet, a collection of 11,945 books and materials, 9 computers for public use, staff workroom, and restroom facilities for both staff and public use.

Today, the headquarters branch, three branch libraries located in Lake Arthur, Welsh, and Elton are in full operation. A bookmobile and a van service operate to extend library services in a dedicated Outreach Program. The Program is open to all patrons who are home-bound or are living in long term care facilities, in hospitals, or attend senior citizens’ centers. Outlying rural areas including Topsy, Lacassine, Fenton, Thornwell, and Ragley are reached via the Outreach Program. Other efforts include delivery of books and materials, working with faculty at Lacassine and Fenton schools, and summer reading and activities for children in the rural areas.

Jefferson Davis Parish Library System was awarded the James O. Modisette Award for most improved services over a two year period at the Louisiana Library Association Convention held in the spring of 2008.

Directors for the Jefferson Davis Parish include:

Alice Porter 1968-1969

Eva Bryan 1969-1972

Glenda G. Richard 1972-1973

Margaret “Meg” Murphy 1974-1977

Jackie Jenkins (Interim) 1977

Carolyn Ford Loos 1977-1982

Trudy Patterson 1982-2000

Rhoda Marsh (Interim) 2001

Connie McCaughan 2001-2002

Rhoda Marsh 2002-2003

Linda LeBert-Corbello, PhD 2003-Present